Remote control latch release mechanism

ABSTRACT

A remote control latch release mechanism comprising a handle assembly slidably journalled in a support means and having a cable coupler means receiving a pair of cable elements for movement by the handle assembly in latch releasing direction. One of the cable elements is connected to a release lever of a latch mechanism located remotely from the handle assembly and the other cable element is coupled to a locking device operable to hold it and thereby the handle assembly against movement in latch releasing direction. A disabling means renders the handle assembly inoperative against latch releasing actuation upon the other cable element being severed between the coupler means and the locking device.

United States Patent [191 Gebhard et a1.

REMOTE CONTROL LATCH RELEASE MECHANISM Inventors: Harold C. Gebhard,Livonia; Alfred M. Keller, Dearborn, both of Mich.

Assignee: Ford Motor Company, Dearborn,

Mich.

Filed: June 21, 1973 Appl. No.: 372,444

US. Cl 70/ 1.5, 70/241, 70/257 Int. Cl. B60r 25/04, EOSb 65/19 Field ofSearch 70/238, 239, 240, 241,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1929 Pinkerton 70/239 12/1940Gill 70/238 10/1956 Kremer 70/239 9/1973 Westerdale 70/ 1.5

[4 Aug. 27, 1974 3,797,287 3/1974 Iba et a1 70/239 PrimaryExaminer-Albert G. Craig, Jr.

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Keith L. Zerschling; John J. Roethel [57]ABSTRACT A remote control latch release mechanism comprising a handleassembly slidably joumalled in a support means and having a cablecoupler means receiving a pair of cable elements for movement by thehandle assembly in latch releasing direction. One of the cable elementsis connected to a release lever of a latch mechanism located remotelyfrom the handle assembly and the other cable element is coupled to alocking device operable to hold it and thereby the handle assemblyagainst movement in latch releasing direction. A disabling means rendersthe handle assembly inoperative against latch releasing actuation uponthe other cable element being severed between the coupler means and thelocking device.

12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures REMOTE CONTROL LATCH RELEASE MECHANISMBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION US. Pat. No. 3,572,790, the locking deviceis keyoperable by either a separate key or by the ignition lock keywhich must first be removed from the ignition lock before it can be usedto unlock the hood latch release cable.

It also has been proposed to couple the handle assembly for actuatingthe release lever of the latching mechanism-to a pair of cable elements,one of which connects the handle assembly to the'release lever and theother of whichconnects the handle assembly to a locking device.Preferably, the locking device would be correlated with the vehicleignition lock so that when the latter is in a locked condition, .thecable extending from the locking device to the handle assemblyisimmobilized whereby the handle assembly cannot be actuated to releasethe latch mechanism.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a disabling meanscapable of rendering the handle assembly inoperative against latchreleasing actuation upon the cable element extending between the handleassembly and the locking device being severed in an attempt to destroythe efficacy of the locking system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention embodies a remote controllatch mechanism comprising a handle assembly slidably journalled in asupport means and having cable coupler means receivinga pair of cableelements for coordinated movement by the handle assembly in latchreleasing direction. One -of the cable elements is connected to arelease lever of a latch mechanism located remotely from the handleassembly and the other cable element is coupled to a locking deviceoperable to hold this other cable element against movement in latchreleasing direction and thereby the handle assembly against latchreleasing actuation. A disabling means renders the handle assemblyinoperative against latch releasing actuation upon the cable elementextending between the coupling means and the locking device beingsevered.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further features and advantages of thepresent invention will be made more apparent as this descriptionproceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a vehicle passengercompartment-and adjoining engine compartment disclosing the environmentin which the mechanism embodying the present invention is particularyadapted for use;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the exterior of the handleassembly for releasing the latch mechanism;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the components of the handle assembly andthe locking device for immobilizing the Bowden cable element;

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are enlarged vertical section views through the handleassembly illustratingthe relationship of various parts of the mechanismin several different operative positions; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 6illustrating the relationship of the disabling means in cable severedcondition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, there isdiagramatically shown the environment in which the preferred embodimentof the present invention is adapted to be used.,More particula'rly, FIG.1 shows the side panel 11 and an instrument panel or dash structure 12partly defining the side and forward boundaries of a vehicle passengercompartment. A fender apron 13 and a front wall 14 of the vehicle enginecompartment is shown forward of the passenger compartment. Also shown ina steering column 15 having anignition lock 16 and agear shift lever 17projecting laterally from the upper end of the column. The steeringcolumn 15 is held beneath the 'd ash structure 12 by a split clamphaving a lower clamping member 18 and anupper clamping member 19.

A conventional hood latch mechanism '21 is positioned at the front endof the engine compartment. The latch mechanismv is adapted to havelatching engagement with a keeper device (not shown) carried on anengine compartment closure or hood (not shown). The latch mechanism 21has a release lever 22 to which one end 23 of themovable wire element 24of a conventional Bowden wire or cable 25 is adapted to be coupled. TheBowden wire or cable 25 is routed within the engine compartment over thefender apron 13 through the vehicle fire wall beneath the dash structure12 to a handle assembly, generally designated 26, mounted on the sidepanel 11 of the passenger compartment.

Extending longitudinally above the steering column 15 is a vehicleignition switch activation rod 27. The rod 27v extends between thecolumn-mounted ignition lock 16 and a multi-contact switchbox 28supported on a mounting plate 29 positioned on the upper surface of theupper clamping member 19. Movement of the rod 27 longitudinally of thesteering column 15 and the consequent effect on the switch contactscontained within the switchbox 28 determines the mode of operation forthe vehicle, i. e., whether or not the accessories are energized andwhether or not the ignition circuit is de-energized or in a vehiclestart or run mode.

The handle assembly 26 comprises a hand grip 31 mounted on one end of arod 32 that has secured to its other end a coupler means 33. The couplermeans 33 is a substantially elongated box-like member having rectangularsides. The coupler means. 33 is slidably journalled in an elongatedrectangular housing formed of two symmetrical half-sections 34 and 35.The upper housing section 35 is integral with or welded to a bracket 36which is adapted to be bolted or otherwise fastened to a vehicle bodystructural member beneath the instrument panel 12.

A pair of cable elements are connected to the coupler means 33 forcoordinated movement by the handle assembly 26 in latch releasingdirection. As described above, one of the cables is a Bowden cable 25having a cable element-24 connected at one end 23 to the release lever22 of the latch mechanism 21. Cable element 24 may be referred to as theoperating cable element. The other end 37 of the cable element 24 isconnected to a cylindrical appendage 38 adapted to be received in thecylindrical recess 39 in one end 41 of the coupler means 33.

The second cable, which may be referred to as the locking cable, is aBowden cable 42 having a cable element 43 which is coupled at its oneend 44 to a rectangular member 45 hereinafter referred to as a slideplunger. The slide plunger 45 under prescribed conditions is slidablelongitudinally of the coupler means 33 within a rectangular chamber 46in the latter.

A compression spring 47 encompasses the end 44 of the cable element 43and exerts a force on the slide plunger 45 urging the latter to theleft, as viewed in the drawings, i. e., in cable element retracting orlatch mechanism releasing direction.

The second cable element 43 and the associated slide plunger 45 formcomponents of a mechanism for locking or holding the handle 31, its rod32, the coupler means 33 and the cable element 24 against movement in adirection to actuate the release lever 22 of the latch mechanism 21.ln'the preferred embodiment, the lock ing function of the cable element43 occurs when the vehicle ignition lock is in locked condition. This isaccomplished by taking advantage of the movable ignition switchactivation rod 27. An auxiliary, substantially cylindrical, housing 48is mounted on the mounting plate 29 in alignment with the switchbox 28.The sleeve of the second Bowden cable 42 is connected to the one end 49of the housing 48. The housing 48 is formed with a longitudinallyextending cylindrical chamber therethrough, the wall of which functionsas a guide means for a cylindrical slug 51 secured to the end 52 of themovable cable or wire element 43 of the second Bowden cable 42.

On its other end the housing 48 has an extension 53 which houses acompression spring 54. The spring 54 is trapped between abutment washers55 carried on the extreme end of the movable wire element 43 within thehousing extension 53. Under ordinary circumstances, the spring 54 isstrong enough to overcome the force being exerted on the other end ofthe cable element 43 by the spring 47 within the handle assembly 26, aswill be more fully explained.

When the housing 48 is mounted on the mounting plate 29, it functions toguide the slug 51 on the wire element end 52 for movement in a directionnormal to the direction of movement of the activation rod 27. The rod 27is movable through a slot 56 that communicates with the cylindricalchamber within the housing 48. The activation rod 27 carries anupstanding tab or abutment 57 movable across the path of the slug 51.

The slidable plunger 45 is coupled to the coupler means 33 by a pawl 58.The pawl 58 is supported on an integral shaft 59 seated in recesses 61in the upstanding walls of the coupler means. Pawl 58 has a downwardlyangularly inclined appendage or hook portion 62 adapted to engage anotched wall 63 of a recess 64 in the upper surface of the slidableplunger 45 (see FIG. 7).

At its forward end, the end toward the cable element 43, the recess 64has an upwardly sloped wall or cam surface 65 which in normal operativeposition underlies a cam surface 66 on the underside of the pawl 58. Thepawl 58 also has projecting upwardly from its upper surface a rib or anabutment 67 adapted to coact with the edge walls 68 of lateral recesses69 in the upper housing half-section 35.

As emphasized in the enlarged FIG. 7, the rear section 71 of the floorof the chamber in the coupler means 33 is downwardly angularly inclinedproviding a step 72 against which the front edge of the slid plunger 45is adapted to abut, under certain conditions. The slide plunger 45, thepawl 58 and the various coacting cam surfaces 65-66 and abutments 67-68and 72 together comprise elements of a disabling means for preventingoperation of the latch release mechanism under certain conditions, aswill be more fully explained.

OPERATION In latched and locked condition of the closure, the parts ofthe handle assembly 26 are in a relationship to each other as shown inFIG. 4. That is, the pawl 58 has interlocking engagement with the slideplunger 45, the operating cable element 24 exerts no force in unlatchingdirection on the release lever 22 of the latch mechanism 21, the lockingcable element 43 is under spring tension exerted by the spring 54, andthe slug 51 is in alignement with the slot 56 in the housing 48. Withthe key cylinder device in at least ignition locked position, the tab 57on the ignition switch activation rod 27 lies in abutting relation tothe slug 51 on the locking cable element 43.

If it is desired to actuate the closure latch mechanism 21, it is firstnecessary to turn the key cylinder in the ignition lock 16 to a positionother than the ignition locked position, thereby moving the tab 57 onthe ignition switch activation rod out of the path of the slug 51 on thelocking cable element 43. This release the locking cable element 43 forretraction. If the handle 31 then is pulled in latch mechanism releasedirection, its movement is transmitted through the rod 32 to the couplermeans 33 thereby causing the latter to be moved from its FIG. 4 positionto the left. As the coupler means .33 is retracted its movement istransmitted through the pawl 58 to the slide plunger 45 thereby causingthe locking cable element 43 to be retracted. Since the locking cableelement 43 is freely retractable, the slug 51 on its other end bypassingthe tab 57 on the activation rod 27, no resistance is exerted to themovement of the coupler means 33 and therefore the operating cableelement 24 moves in a direction to release the latch mechanism 21. Uponrelease of the handle 31 all of the parts are restored from the FIG. 5position, which is the operated position of the handle assembly, to theFIG. 4 position.

Again, referring to FIG. 4, if the handle assembly and the relationshipof the ignition activation rod tab 57 to slug 51 on the locking cableelement 43 are in locked condition it appears that the locked conditioncould be violated by cutting the wire element 43. It is a feature of thepresent invention that the cutting of the wire element 43 results in thehandle assembly 26 becoming disabled so that it cannot be manipulated torelease the latch mechanism.

If the locking cable element 43 is cut, the spring 54 exerting a forceon the cable in locking direction hecomes ineffective. lnstead thepreloaded or precompressed spring 47 forces the slide plunger 45 fromits FIG. 4 position to the left into the position shown in FIG. 6. Asthe slide plunger 45 moves to the left, its cam surface 65 abuts the camsurface 66 on the pawl 58 lifting the latter to a position in which theabutment 67on its upper surface is in alignment with an edge 68 ofeither of the recesses 69 in the upper section 35 of the housing, asshown in FIG. 6. It will be readily apparent that any attempt to retractthe operating cable element 37 will be prevented. since the engagementof the pawl with the housing prevents retraction movement of the couplermeans 33.

Upon the slide plunger 45 being forced to the left by the spring 47, itdrops fully onto the inclined surface 71 of the floor of the chamber inthe coupler means 33 and the forward edge of the slide plunger 45 abutsthe edge 72 of the step in the floor of the chamber. Thus, any attemptto grasp the severed end of the wire element 43 would be ineffective asa means to cause the slide plunger 45 to be moved to the right. If itcould be moved to the right, the pawl 58 then would drop to a positionin which its abutment 67 was out of alignment with an edge or abutment68 of the housing and permit the handle 31 to be manipulated to retractthe wire element 24. It will be readily apparent that thisis preventedby the tilted position of the slide plunger 45.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exactconstruction illustrated and described above, but that various changesand modifications may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the following claims:

We claim:

1. A remote control latch release mechanism comprising:

a handle assembly slidably journalled in a support means and havingcable coupler means,

a pair of cable elements connected to the coupler means for coordinatedmovement by the handle assembly in latch releasing direction,

one of the cable elements being connected to a release lever of a latchmechanism located remotely from the handle assembly and the other cableelement being coupled to a locking device operable to hold the othercable against movement in latch releasing direction and thereby thehandle against latch releasing actuation,

and disabling means rendering the handle assembly inoperative againstlatch releasing actuation upon the other cable element being severedbetween the coupler means and the locking device.

2. A remote control latch release mechanism according to claim 1, inwhich:

the disabling means comprises a slide plunger to which the other cableelement is connected,

the slide plunger being housed within the coupler means and coupled tothe latter by a pawl member,

and spring means operable to retract the other cable after the latter issevered and to move the slide plunger relative to the pawl member,

and coacting cam means on the slide plunger and pawl member,

the coacting cam means being operative upon movement of the slideplunger relative to the pawl memher to wedge the latter into abuttingrelation to an abutment on the handle assembly support means,

the pawl means when abutting the abutment preventing movement of thehandle assembly in latch releasing direction. 7 3. A remote controllatch release mechanism according to claim 2, in which:

the slide plunger when fully retracted engages an abutment in thecoupler means to prevent movement of the slide plunger in nomretracteddirection and thereby to lock the pawl member against movement out ofengagement with the support means abutment. 4. A remote control latchrelease mechanism according to claim 3, in which:

the locking device comprises a guide means mounted on a supportstructure, the end of the other cable opposite its slide plungerconnected end being received in the guide means,

an abutment on the other cable within the guide means,

a blocking means slidably guided within the guide means for movementinto and out of abutting relation to the abutment means,

and a key-operated means operable to shift the blocking means intoabutting relation to the other cable abutment thereby to immobilize theother cable.

5. A remote control latch release mechanism according to claim 4, inwhich:

the blocking means is an ignition switch activation rod, 3

the rod having an. abutment engaging portion positioned to engage theother cable abutment in at least ignition locked position of theignition switch.

6. A remote control latch release mechanism comprising:

a housing mounted within a vehicle passenger compartment,

a handle assembly having a cable coupler means slidably journalledwithin the housing,

an operating cable extending between the cable coupler means and. arelease lever of a hood latch mechanism for transmitting retractionmovement of the handle assembly to the release lever to unlatch the hoodlatch mechanism,

a slide plunger slidably mounted in the cable coupler means,

a locking cable coupled to the slide plunger,

pawl means latching the slide plunger to the handle assembly to transmitmovement of the latter to the locking cable upon the handle assemblybeing operated to unlatch the latch mechanism,

and a locking means,

the locking cable extending from the slide plunger to the locking means,

the locking means being operable to immobilize the locking cable toprevent movement of the handle assembly in latch mechanism unlatchingdirection,

and disabling means rendering the handle assembly inoperative to move inlatch mechanism unlatching direction upon the locking cable beingsevered between the slide plunger and the locking means. 7. A remotecontrol latch release mechanism according to claim 6 in which:

the locking means comprises a guide means mounted on a vehicle steeringcolumn,

an abutment means on the locking cable within the guide means,

a blocking means slidably guided within the guide means for movementinto and out of abutting relation to the abutment means,

and a key-operated means operable to shift the blocking means intoabutting relation to the abutment means thereby to immobilize thelocking cable.

8. A remote control latch release mechanism according to claim 7, inwhich:

the blocking means is an ignition switch activation rod extendinglongitudinally of the steering column,

the rod having an abutment engaging portion positioned to engage theabutment means in at least ignition locked position of the ignitionswitch.

9. A remote control latch mechanism according to claim 8, in which:

the disabling means comprises the slide plunger and a spring meansoperable to retract the slide plunger in a locking cable retractingdirection,

and coacting cam means on the slide plunger and pawl means wedging thepawl means into abutting relation to an abutment on the housing upon retracting movement of the slide plunger,

the pawl means when engaged with the housing abutment preventingmovement of the handle assembly in latch mechanism unlatching direction.10. A remote control latch mechanism according to claim 9, in which:

the slide plunger when fully retracted engages an abutment in thecoupler means preventing movement of the slide plunger in non-retracteddirection and thereby locking the pawl means against movement out ofengagement with the housing abutment. 11. A remote control latchmechanism according to claim 6, in which:

the disabling means comprises the slide plunger and a spring meansoperable to retract the slide plunger in a locking cable retractingdirection, and coacting cam means on the slide plunger and pawl meanswedging the pawl means into abutting relation to an abutment on thehousing upon retracting movement of the slide plunger, the pawl meanswhen engaged with the housing abutment preventing movement of the handleassembly in latch mechanism unlatching direction. 12. A remote controllatch mechanism according to claim 11, in which:

the slide plunger when fully retracted engages an abutment in thecoupler means preventing movement of the slide plunger in non-retracteddirection and thereby locking the pawl means against movement out ofengagement with the housing abutment.

1. A remote control latch release mechanism comprising: a handleassembly slidably journalled in a support means and having cable couplermeans, a pair of cable elements connected to the coupler means forcoordinated movement by the handle assembly in latch releasingdirection, one of the cable elements being connected to a release leverof a latch mechanism located remotely from the handle assembly and theother cable element being coupled to a locking device operable to holdthe other cable against movement in latch releasing direction andthereby the handle against latch releasing actuation, and disablingmeans rendering the handle assembly inoperative against latch releasingactuation upon the other cable element being severed between the couplermeans and the locking device.
 2. A remote control latch releasemechanism according to claim 1, in which: the disabling means comprisesa slide plunger to which the other cable element is connected, the slideplunger being housed within the coupler means and coupled to the latterby a pawl member, and spring means operable to retract the other cableafter the latter is severed and to move the slide plunger relative tothe pawl member, and coacting cam means on the slide plunger and pawlmember, the coacting cam means being operative upon movement of theslide plunger relative to the pawl member to wedge the latter intoabutting relation to an abutment on the handle assembly support means,the pawl means when abutting the abutment preventing movement of thehandle assembly in latch releasing direction.
 3. A remote control latchrelease mechanism according to claim 2, in which: the slide plunger whenfully retracted engages an abutment in the coupler means to preventmovement of the slide plunger in non-retracted direction and thereby tolock the pawl member against movement out of engagement with the supportmeans abutment.
 4. A remote control latch release mechanism according toclaim 3, in which: the locking device comprises a guide means mounted ona support structure, the end of the other cable opposite its slideplunger connected end being received in the guide means, an abutment onthe other cable within the guide means, a blocking means slidably guidedwithin the guide means for movement into and out of abutting relation tothe abutment means, and a key-operated means operable to shift theblocking means into abutting relation to the other cable abutmentthereby to immobilize the other cable.
 5. A remote control latch releasemechanism according to claim 4, in which: the blocking means is anignition switch activation rod, the rod having an abutment engagingportion positioned to engage the other cable abutment in at leastignition locked position of the ignition switch.
 6. A remote controllatch release mechanism comprising: a housing mounted within a vehiclepassenger compartment, a handle assembly having a cable coupler meansslidably journalled within the housing, an operating cable extendingbetween the cable coupler means and a release lever of a hood latchmechanism for transmitting retraction movement of the handle assembly tothe release lever to unlatch the hood latch mechanism, a slide plungerslidably mounted in the cable coupler means, a locking cable coupled tothe slide plunger, pawl means latching the slide plunger to the handleassembly to transmit movement of the latter to the locking cable uponthe handle assembly being operated to unlatch the latch mechanism, and alocking means, the locking cable extending from the slide plunger to thelocking means, the locking means being operable to immobilize thelocking cable to prevent movemeNt of the handle assembly in latchmechanism unlatching direction, and disabling means rendering the handleassembly inoperative to move in latch mechanism unlatching directionupon the locking cable being severed between the slide plunger and thelocking means.
 7. A remote control latch release mechanism according toclaim 6 in which: the locking means comprises a guide means mounted on avehicle steering column, an abutment means on the locking cable withinthe guide means, a blocking means slidably guided within the guide meansfor movement into and out of abutting relation to the abutment means,and a key-operated means operable to shift the blocking means intoabutting relation to the abutment means thereby to immobilize thelocking cable.
 8. A remote control latch release mechanism according toclaim 7, in which: the blocking means is an ignition switch activationrod extending longitudinally of the steering column, the rod having anabutment engaging portion positioned to engage the abutment means in atleast ignition locked position of the ignition switch.
 9. A remotecontrol latch mechanism according to claim 8, in which: the disablingmeans comprises the slide plunger and a spring means operable to retractthe slide plunger in a locking cable retracting direction, and coactingcam means on the slide plunger and pawl means wedging the pawl meansinto abutting relation to an abutment on the housing upon retractingmovement of the slide plunger, the pawl means when engaged with thehousing abutment preventing movement of the handle assembly in latchmechanism unlatching direction.
 10. A remote control latch mechanismaccording to claim 9, in which: the slide plunger when fully retractedengages an abutment in the coupler means preventing movement of theslide plunger in non-retracted direction and thereby locking the pawlmeans against movement out of engagement with the housing abutment. 11.A remote control latch mechanism according to claim 6, in which: thedisabling means comprises the slide plunger and a spring means operableto retract the slide plunger in a locking cable retracting direction,and coacting cam means on the slide plunger and pawl means wedging thepawl means into abutting relation to an abutment on the housing uponretracting movement of the slide plunger, the pawl means when engagedwith the housing abutment preventing movement of the handle assembly inlatch mechanism unlatching direction.
 12. A remote control latchmechanism according to claim 11, in which: the slide plunger when fullyretracted engages an abutment in the coupler means preventing movementof the slide plunger in non-retracted direction and thereby locking thepawl means against movement out of engagement with the housing abutment.